Progress...

Yes, progress continues on the bathroom and we are all still alive! See picture #1 below.

If you are ever contemplating any type of remodel, there are some things you should keep in mind.

• Don't even bother dusting. No matter how often you try, there will always be a thin layer of dust, of thick layer depending on the work being done.


• Tiredness for both! Dad for doing the labor and mom for trying to maintain house, entertain kids, break up fights, etc... My next point relates to this.


• The only time you will see your spouse and have time to actually talk it sometime around 11 or midnight when you are both dead dog tired and don't have enough energy to talk.


• Household chores will fall behind. Dishes pile up so just use paper plates! Laundry also falls behind, do enough so people have clean undies.


• Noise will be at an all time loudness at times. Think tile saw, screaming toddler who wants your attention, and two girls cat fighting!


• Leaving the house is mandatory sometimes. It's best, for the workers and the kids = )


• Specifically relating to bathroom, kids do prefer baths to showers. At least ours.

The below picture should some it up. Eli getting bathed in the sink next to a pile of dirty dishes!

All sarcasm aside. It is looking so nice!! And, all in all, it's okay. I think we are hoping to be done on the 13th!

Today was a snow day! We all stayed home in the a.m. and then took Eli to his daycare in the afternoon. The girls and I went sledding. I was a little leary because Mack is a fare weather child. However, today I saw a side I've never seen. She LOVED the snow. When I thought the hill might be to big or she was going too fast, nope. Sheer excitement on her face. Schuyler has always loved sledding so I new she would have a blast. She saw one of her good friends there which made it that much more special. We were there for 2 hrs!!! I think we will sleep well tonight.

Here is a recent one of Eli...

D Day

That would stand for demolition!! Sunday was the last day to use the 1960's mint green toilet and bath! It's gone. All in all, I don't miss it. Of course, it has made things a little difficult with out the bathroom but we're adjusting. And, it's only temporary. Hey, if we made it through a kitched remodel, we'll make it through this. Only difference is we now have 3 kids instead of 1!!! Here are some pics...



Today, the whirlpool tub is being installed. Whooo hooo. Mark and a friend are doing everything else themselves. So, he is tired from hard labor work and, well, I'm tired from entertaining kids = )

Tuesday, I was able to watch Schuyler's dance class. I almost forgot if she had not reminded me. So, with the other in tow, we went and watched. Eli was NOT enthused in the least. I did my best to get a couple of shots while keeping him from wandering onto the floor.

This weekend we will continue work on the bathroom. The girls have a bday party to attend and Schuyler has a fieldtrip with her kindergarten class to the Symphony and ice cream afterwards on Sunday.

future basketball star...

Check her out! She is turning into quite the little sportster! I think the winter months are starting to wear on her (and the other 2 as well). Anytime the snow is melted she is wanting to go shoot some hoops in the driveway, despite the chilly 30 degree temp = ) This has proven to be great bonding time for her and daddy. Schuyler has also tried to play soccer in the front yard on the snow/ice. Not a good combination. She is already looking forward to soccer season!!

Schuyler and I got the stomach flu on Sunday. It was a most unfortunate situation. We had just pulled into Menards and had started to unbuckle the other 2 when Schuyler got sick right in the middle of the van. I had nothing but a blanket to give her to get sick in. I was the unlucky individual who got to clean it up when we got home. So far, the rest of the family has remained unscathed!

Mack is up on her early rise schedule. Today it was 5:00 a.m. Yesterday, it was 6:00 a.m., she comes in, "Mom, I'll go back to bed but I have a question.". I ask, "what's your question?". Her response, "Can Katie come to my birthday party?" Seriously? Her bday is in JUNE!!!

Eli had his 1 year check up and is a healthy boy! He stands at 80-90% for height and is 50% for weight. So, long and lean. His head size is 5%. Where do my kids get such small heads from? Eli's latest mission seems to be climb, climb, and climb some more! He is also infatuated with the vacuum. He tries to vacuum his little basketball hoop. Maybe the child is trying to tell me something!

Here are a couple of xmas shots.

And, just 'cause I can't resist, here is one from a shoot in Dec. I have had the pleasure of shooting this sweet pea since she was in utero! Now, she't the big 1. Maybe we could bring back arranged marriages?

Happy 1st Eli!

Eli turned the big "1" on Sunday. He still wasn't into presents but did enjoy his balloons and cake. It's hard to believe he is 1. We are starting the weaning process. He enjoys his solids and is doing great with the sippee cup and Vitamin D milk. But, he still likes nursing when he wakes up and just before bed.

This kid is a CLIMBER! We have to constantly monitor the bunk bed ladder. Usually, we just take it down during the day. But on the rare occassion we forget, he is sure to remember. When it's quiet, we know something is going awry. Daycare is no exception either. He pushed a gate up to the wall at a 45% angle. Then, he proceeded to walk up the incline and started to climb the changing table. He was standing on it trying to grab for a plant. It's a good thing he's our last. I'm not sure Linda (Eli's provider), would take any more of our children. Mack wouldn't take a bottle and now Eli the climber. Sheesh! But, in the words of Linda, these are qualities that will serve them well in the future. If only we can channel it the right direction.

Oh, I was going to comment on the family picture, Eli is actually not pulling Schuyler's hair in the picture. (Well, at least not yet)!

Greetings!

2008 is here! Wow, the years sure go by fast. I've been reflecting on 2007 and here are some thoughts that pop into my head.

1. We started 2007 with the birth of our son. I can't believe he will be 1 on Sunday! He has blessed us in so many ways.


2. Jill Riese Photography was officially born and I can thank many of you in one way or another - by being my guinea pig and letting me take pictures of you or a loved one, through the constant support and encouragement so many of you provided, by referrals from my friends and family, etc...


3. Our kids have grown in so many ways - Schuyler had her fist dance recital, began to play soccer, learned to ride a bike, started Kindergarten and is reading, adding etc... Mack started gymnastics, had her first dance recital, went to the dentist for the first time, moved up to the primary classroom. Eli, well he learned to sit, crawl, walk, climb and all those other milestones. We are so thankful for all of this.


4. Mark and I went to Savannah, GA - a place neither of us had been to.


5. As with any year, 2007 had a few downs as well. The lord called home Mark's grandfather, Ray Riese. My grandma has been diagnosed with Shy Drager syndrome (sp?), a neuorological shut down.

We are fortunate in that the good far out ways the bad. I can only imagine what 2008 will have in store for us.

We all enjoyed the Christmas break and the kids returned to school on Thursday and are beginning to get back into a routine. As mentioned above, Eli turns 1 on Sunday! We're going to have just a small little party for him. Can you guess what his cake will be? A basketball. I'll begin work on that one tomorrow.

Here is the only decent family photo of us from Christmas. The regular blog routine is back. Oh, my Christmas cards, or should I say New Year's cards are on there way! It would figure the printer would mess mine up= 0 I guess that's better than a client's!

my baby's not such a baby

Look at sweet baby I! Isn't she so precious. She was a jem to photograph... slept the beginning half and then we got some awake photos. When I look at these, I'm reminded that Eli is not such a baby. Well, he'll always be my "baby" but the newborn babiness is gone. I will forever remember and treasure those times with each of my kids. I am starting the weaning process. My body just can't keep up with the demands of this growing boy. We'll take it slow, for both of our sakes! It's a bittersweet moment. Yet, how exciting is it to have an almost 1 year old toddling all over the house. I remember a year ago. Tired all the time, very uncomfortable and found it hard to wrap xmas gift, anxious to meet the little being growing in me. Some things you will always remember = )

As for other things, the girls had their xmas program this weekend at church. What a hoot! Mackie stood up there proudly with her chest out. Schuyler stood next to one of her good buds with a big grin across her face. We only took the video (no camera - too much to juggle). I can't wait to watch it again and, in the future some day it till give us a good laugh. Gma Riese - if you're reading, remind me to get this out when we see you at xmas time = )

We are going to visit Santa tomorrow. Can't wait to see what Eli will think!

I will blog!

The frenzy of the season has caught me off guard but I will not let it over come me - HA! Yesterday I enjoyed a snow day with the kids as LPS was closed and therefore the Montessori was closed. Do you know how long it takes to get 3 kids and 1 adult ready to go outside sledding. By my count it is somewhere around 20 minutes from start to finish! The downhill walk path next to our house was a sheet of ice and made for some great sledding. Eli even enjoyed it as one of his older sister's would hold onto him. We also got one round of Christmas cookies baked. I'm afraid they are going to be gone before we get more done!

I'm WAY behind on Christmas this year. I really have no clue what to get for Schuyler. It's usually McKenzie who I struggle with. All the ideas I have would be more suitable for her bday in April. I don't really even have any ideas for myself! I think the fact we have no presents under the tree is bothering Schuyler b/c she made "pretend" presents yesterday and put them under the tree. After dinner we had to open them all. Really quite clever. Mark got Husker hats, I got a bracelet and socks, Mack got a Barbie and Eli got a ball. You can tell she actually put thought into her pretend gifts = )

I'm also behind on pic posts as well. Anyhow, here is a little guy I did in April. Look how he's grown. He's graduated from Linda's (where Eli goes) and is now 18-19 months! Such a handsome little dude!